Guidelines on Insurance and the Human Rights Act

One of the functions of the Human Rights Commission is to publish guidelines to avoid acts or practices that may be inconsistent with, or contrary to, the Human Rights Act. In 1997 the Commission published guidelines to assist the insurance industry and the public to understand the relationship between the Human Rights Act and insurance.

In 2006 the Commission decided to revise the guidelines, as a result of factors such as an increase in reported mental illness, developments in the area of human genetics, relevant case law from other jurisdictions and experience of the practical application of the legislation.

A review of the guidelines was undertaken during 2006-2007, and the revised guidelines published in December 2007.